NTN UE Location Verification Using Sidelink Cross-Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
NTN-based positioning systems face challenges in verifying the location of user equipment (UE) due to the large coverage area of satellites, which can lead to location spoofing, allowing UEs to appear in different countries or regions, thereby bypassing national regulations and accessing unauthorized services.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for verifying UE location in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) by receiving sidelink measurements from nearby UEs and cross-checking the target UE's location based on these measurements, using a location server to validate the reported location data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If NTN-based positioning is used to provide wide coverage, then connectivity is extended to remote areas, but location verification reliability deteriorates due to large coverage areas enabling spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nearby UEs as intermediary devices to verify the target UE's location. These intermediary UEs act as mediators by providing sidelink measurements that help determine whether the target UE's reported location is authentic or spoofed, thus resolving the reliability issue without reducing NTN coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sidelink measurements from nearby UEs are continuously collected and used to verify location data. This feedback loop enables the network to detect and reject spoofed location information while maintaining wide NTN coverage for legitimate users
2Measurement precision
If GNSS positioning is used for NTN-based positioning, then location data can be obtained, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to verify authentic location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges GNSS positioning with sidelink measurement verification to create a hybrid location verification system. By combining these two methods, the system maintains the ability to obtain location data while adding a verification layer that prevents spoofing, thus improving both measurement precision and reliability
3Reliability
If sidelink measurements from multiple UEs are collected for location verification, then location verification reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by collecting sidelink measurements from a selected subset of nearby UEs rather than all possible UEs. This approach maintains sufficient verification reliability while limiting the number of measurements to process, thus balancing reliability improvement with acceptable system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for verifying a user equipment (UE) location in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) are disclosed. In some embodiments, such techniques may involve receiving location data of the target UE; obtaining one or more locations of one or more other UEs that are within a sidelink communication range of the target UE; receiving sidelink measurements obtained by the one or more other UEs relative to the target UE or by the target UE obtained for the one or more other UEs; and verifying the location data of the target UE (e.g., a location of the target UE) based at least on the sidelink measurements and the one or more locations of the one or more other UEs. The location verification may ensure that the target UE only accesses an NTN that is allowed to serve the location of the target UE.